UNBC Hosting Symposium on Northern BC Writing
Event to Feature Brian Fawcett
March 9, 2005 for immediate release
Outspoken Prince George
writer Brian Fawcett will be returning to his hometown later this month and
UNBC will be hosting a symposium on Northern BC
writing in his honour.
Titled The Writing Way
Up North, the symposium will feature panels on different aspects of Northern BC
literature. The UNBC English program is currently inviting submissions from
students and community members – the deadline for a one-page proposal is March
14. The symposium will be held on Wednesday, March 30, from 9am to 3pm.
The night before, well-known writer Brian Fawcett will be
giving a talk and reading at the University. Born and raised in Prince George, Fawcett
has been a controversial writer for decades. While he has published 14 books,
he is particularly known in northern BC for Virtual
Clearcut, an award-winning book that captures Fawcett’s continuing interest
in his hometown, issues of globalization, and environmental degradation.
Fawcett has donated a significant portion of his personal
records to the Northern BC Archives at UNBC.
This collection includes textual, photographic, electronic and audio recordings
dating from 1951 to 1995 relating to Brian Fawcett's personal and creative life
as a poet, writer, editor, columnist, and social critic. Highlights of the
archive include drafts of Fawcett’s early published works, his early notebooks
and personal journals, unpublished poetry, and extensive correspondence with
other well-known Canadian writers over the course of Fawcett’s literary career.
“Brian’s presentation and the writers’ symposium to follow
is our expression of thanks to Brian for his contributions to UNBC and his
continued advocacy of northern BC writing and writers,” says Rob Budde, a
professor in the UNBC English program.
Brian Fawcett will be giving public talks on Tuesday, March
29 at 8pm in Agora room 7-150
(adjacent to the Security office).